By CASEY O’CONNOR
YOU are never too old to see something new in sport, and last weekend when the Lew Cooper Invitation XI took on Maryvale, umpires, players, spectators and organisers were left scratching their heads and trying to recall if they had ever been part of a game that was delayed due to fog.
Lew Cooper is widely known for his precision in organising events, however his planned start time of 9.45am on Saturday did not take into account the heavy fog that covered the Maryvale Oval.
With visiting players and spectators trying their best to keep the cold at bay, organisers could do nothing more than wait patiently and hope that eventually the fog would lift enough to take the field. Of course it did – eventually but when play did begin it was in very murky conditions that would not have passed ICC approval, however the much-maligned “pink” ball was pretty useful in conditions.
The visitors won the toss or so we are led to believe (hard to tell in the conditions) and elected to bat. With several Brisbane A Grade players and former state players in the side, they quickly piled on runs as the Maryvale bowlers had some difficulty finding their line and length after a long layoff.
Opening batsman for the visitors Rodney Davison smacked a fast 31 before he was retired by his captain Mark Gaskell. The first wicket to fall was that of cricket tragic Lee Watts who travelled from Bowen for the game and headed off on Sunday morning for Russell Island where he was playing Warehouse cricket before heading back to Bowen (you have to be a little crazy).
Coming in at first drop was Sam Truloff who won the Peter Burge medal last season.
The Peter Burge Medal is awarded to the best and fairest First Grade cricketer in Brisbane as judged by the first-grade umpires. Truloff from Marburg widely tipped to pick up a Queensland Cricket contract this coming season was very impressive with both bat and ball. He was retired at 32, and in the Maryvale innings picked up two wickets. No surprise that he was named the Lew Cooper team’s Man of the Match.
With the game reduced to 45 overs, the top order pushed the score along nicely. Andy Ryan took a nice catch to dismiss Sam Turvey with the score at 5/151. It soon became a scorer’s nightmare as identical twins Sam and Rowan Lutter who hail from Boonah strode to the crease. The pair each stand around 6’7; and are absolutely identical -a headache for the umpires as well as the scorers.
The Maryvale bowlers managed to stem the run rate late in the innings and were left to chase a total of 197.
Things did not begin well for the hosts as wickets fell steadily in the early overs and partnerships looked hard to come by. As wickets tumbled, Jason Stekete remained solid, anchoring the Maryvale innings until he was finally dismissed for 73 in an innings that included three sixes. The Maryvale side looked in dire straits with the score at 9/129 midway through the 34th over, but showed plenty of fight to get within 16 runs of the required total before the fall of the final wicket.
Jason Stekete impressed the visiting side, and he was named Maryvale’s Man of the Match.
The annual match was once again entertaining and although only a social game there was some seriously competitive cricketers in the middle. Guest of honour was youngster Angus Bowles who was able to travel to the USA last year for life-changing surgery after funds raised in part by the Charity cricket match and the generosity of the local community.
These are cricket games played in the right spirit and for all the right reasons.
– Casey
REEVES DOMINATES ON THE COURSE
HANNAH Reeves made the Stanthorpe Golf course her own last weekend. On Saturday, the talented teen had a rare albatross on the par five ninth hold and backed up on Sunday at Sporters to win the popular Sunday competition. Along the way, she also collected the best gross and the pin shots at the 12th and 17th. Congratulations to this young lady – a very big future in the game lay ahead of her.
There were a host of others who actually played Sporters on Sundays. John Rawlings was the runner-up and the run downs went to Peter Goodsir and Max Jones. Paul Jones also played a great shot as he claimed the pro pin.
This gave her the best gross as well as winning the pin shots on the 12th and the 17th a fantastic effort. Big things in the future for this young lady. The Rev Jim Mitchell and Mark also went home with smiles on their faces, and a meat tray under their arm. Sporters will be queuing up in numbers next Sunday with tee off at the normal winter time of 8.30 – 9am.
BLOW TO BRL COMEPITTION
THE Border Rugby League A Grade competition has been dealt a blow with confirmation from the Wallangarra Rams that they will be unable to field a side in the remainder of the 2016 competition.
Due to a lack of player numbers, the Rams had forfeited back-to-back games in recent weeks. While Wallangarra have a large number of players on their books in 2016, many have not been sighted on the playing or training paddock.
The Rams have had to contend with a host of injuries this season, and the recent closure of the Wallangarra meatworks has also impacted on the club.
A club spokesman said earlier in the week officials and players would meet with BRL and Central Division to try and negotiate the possibility of the remaining Rams players joining other BRL teams despite the 30 June deadline for player transfers having passed.
Club president Peter Butler remains confident the club can regroup and be competitive next season. Officials, players and supporters plan to continue maintenance work on the ground and facilities during the remainder of the season.
It is understood the Ramettes will continue to play in the Ladies League Tag competition however they too are having issues with numbers.
In reality, like many small country competitions there must be a cloud over the future of the BRL competition. The combined Stanthorpe Texas side has provided players from both centres with an opportunity to play this season, but they still struggle for numbers while Killarney have also had issues with numbers more often than not this season.
Clubs like the Gremlins continue to attract substantial funding to improve their facilities but you have to wonder to what end if the player base is not here to support a team or competition.
In its 20-year history, the BRL has faced many challenges but none more crucial than those it faces going forward.
There are no easy answers as players become disconnected from their local competition because of any number of reasons which often include work requirements, a lack of commitment to their local team, the availability of other avenues of entertainment and the very real impact serious injury to players has on the financial stability of young families.
As we celebrate all that is great about rugby league in Origin week, grassroots rugby league is struggling and it is past time the boys at the big end of town began to show some concern for its future – after all this is where it all begins.
ALBATROSS SIGTHED IN STANTHORPE
STANTHORPE golfers were delighted to see Hannah Reeves back on the course – home for a short time during the school holidays. Hannah has been playing great golf and achieving some great results. Her game has certainly moved up a notch and she was the toast of the club when she shot a rare Albatross on the ninth.
For all the non-golfers out there – it does not mean she knocked off a large sea bird. It means Hannah had only two shots to get the ball in the hole at the ninth when it takes most good players five shots (if not a few more).
Her golfing peers are sure there will be plenty more days like that ahead for Hannah.
Saturday’s competition was a single stableford sponsored by Reece Plumbing. Max Hunter took the honours in the Men’s event with a score of 41 points ahead of runner-up was Rob Reeves (37) points.
Keith Barnett was closest to the pin on the 3rd/12th with Fred Wharton claiming the 17th Pin Shot. The Pro Pins went to Wes Smith 1st/10th, Brendan Barker 5th/14th and Hannah Reeves on the 9th/18th. The birdies Nest this week was on the seventh and was shared by Fred Wharton and Brendan Barker. Rundowns in the Men’s went to Michael Thompson and Wes Smith.
Linda Kelly took out the Ladies competition, scoring 37 points with Hannah Reeves not far off with 35 points. Nikki Rossow claimed the approach shot at 17 and received a ball in the rundowns.
COWBOYS HIT THE RANGE
THERE was a fine turn out of Cowboys for Sunny Sunday down on the Inglewood Range.
In the opening event, Jodi Bynon was on target defeating Glen Small and Tom Donald. The Rimfire event was an all family affair with Ray Dudgeon defeating Stephanie Dudgeon and Will Dudgeon making it a Dudgeon trifecta.
This Sunday the club is holding a muzzle loading shoot and Centrefire events. Of course visitors are always welcome down on the range, and the fun kicks off at 9.30am. Email
SSAAQ49@gmail for further information or follow the club’s activities on Facebook.
COWBOYS DOMINATE LOCAL DERBY
THE Warwick Cowboys were all smiles on Sunday as they piled on the points in the local derby against Wattles, coming away with another important two points and an emphatic 54-4 win.
The Cowboys extended their half time lead of 18-4 in the second half as they piled on the pressure, forcing their opponents into errors and the points followed.
Dan Watson helped himself to a 24-point haul – with two tries and eight conversions. Centre Joe Fuimaono who has been one of the most consistent players in the Cowboys line-up this season, also picked up a double. Queuing up to get the ball over the line in the game were Craig Donn, Brodie Quirk, Sam Broomhall, Ty Gardner and Mick Bloomfield who also had a successful conversion.
Wattles have had to contend with a horror run of injuries this season, and on Sunday seven players returning from injury and only one bench player for the second half. Wattles toiled hard without a number of their stars, however in the end Warwick were just too strong.
The A Grade win wrapped up a clean sweep for the Cowboys who had a dominant 46-18 win in Reserve Grade and also dominated in the Under 18s. Their side convincing 42-6.
With the finals only six games away, the Cowboys are well placed on the competition ladder in all three grades.
Pittsworth retain their position at the top of the ladder after their big win over Oakey last weekend.
This weekend the Cowboys face a tougher task when they host Highfields in the Hutchies Match of the Day at Fr Ranger Oval. The Under 18s kick off at 11.30am; Reserve Grade at 1pm and the A Grade game at 2.30pm.
The TRL competition ladders look like this after round 16.
A Grade Ladder: Pittsworth 26, Warwick 24, Souths 21, Brothers 20, Highfields 19, Gatton 19, Dalby 10, Valleys 11, Wattles 8, Goondiwindi 2, Oakey 0
Reserve Grade Ladder: Gatton 26, Warwick 24, Pittsworth 22, Souths 22, Valleys 21, Highfields 12 Goondiwindi 11, Dalby 10, Brothers 7, Oakey 3, Wattles 2.
Under 18: Valleys 28, Burnett Blue 24, Pittsworth 22, Warwick 22, Dalby 18, Brothers 16, Souths 12, Highfields 12, Wattles 11, Goondiwindi 9, Burnett White 8, Border 4, Gatton 2.
WEATHER THROWS UP CHALLENGES
MALLET Sports like many others on the Granite Belt have fallen foul of the weather conditions, and many games have been wiped out or played in very unpleasant challenging and unpleasant conditions by a brave or fool hardy few.
In the most recent game of golf croquet, eight players formed two groups playing doubles.
In game one, Liz Ellway and Val Fancourt scored 10, defeating Bill Golding and John Castles 8.
Liz Ellway led from the front with a top score of six hoops in the game with her playing partner Val scoring a hoop in one. Teresa Pyne and Justin Liddy played a 13-point, defeating Marian Castles and Dianne Wren (7). In this game, Teresa Pyne had a great top score of seven.
With some changes in playing personnel for the second game, Val Fancourt and Di Wren proved too strong for the pairing of Liddy and Pyne finishing with a comfortable 13-4 win. Di Wren top scored with seven. Liz Ellway had another strong game when she partnered Bill Golding and defeated Marion Castles and Justin Liddy had top scored with six in partnering Bill to defeat Marion and Justin 11-9. Once again she topped the scoring with seven.
On Friday, the fog eventually lifted on a perfect day for gateball. Player numbers were down, however two teams played triples.
Andrea Denkewitz captained the Red team of Grace Howard and Bill Golding. The White team was led by Margaret Dickenson with team-mates Val Fancourt and John Castles. The first two games were won by the White team, 11-9 and 13-7.
After the break, the Red team fought back to even the score, winning the next two games – 11-9 and 9-7. All players showed patches of good form. Grace Howard executed a great split shot in the second game for the Red team and Bill Golding managed a near impossible pass through gate three. Val Fancourt was a model of consistency as she sparked opponents’ balls off the court all day.
PORSCHE, EVERYWHERE
IF YOU were in or around Warwick last weekend, it was not difficult to spot a Porsche – they were everywhere as the enthusiasts and members of the Queensland Porsche Club and others descended on Morgan Park for the 2016 Porsche Club Championship and Interclub challenge.
It was round six of the Regularity Sprint and the Motorsport round five.
Drivers put their beloved cars through their paces against the clock in an effort to set the best personal lap time. In near perfect conditions, many drivers set personal best times.
The Interclub challenge saw intense rivalry between Porsche, Lotus, MX5 and Toyota clubs. Greg Turnham clocked the fastest Porsche time of 1.24.558 but honours for the quickest lap time of the day went to a Lotus driven by Geoff Noble who clocked 1.7.922secs.
The Porsche club endeavours to give members the chance to use their cars under regulated conditions in competition with each other and providing encouragement for the novices and less experienced drivers. The competition is always fierce, but there is a great deal of respect for all other drivers, their cars and the officials that go out of their way to make the events a success.
CUTTERS STEAL A WIN
THE Killarney Cutters snatched a six-point win over the combined Stanthorpe Texas side in the dying stages of the game at Charlie Andrews Oval last weekend end.
The win will be a boost for the Cutters who is another side struggling for player numbers this season. On the other hand, it was a bitter blow for the Stanthorpe Texas players.
In the previous round, the combined side stretched competition leaders, the Tigers and would have had a win in their sights in this game. Once again the visitors’ lack of fitness cost them at the back end of the game. One of the finds of the season however has been Declan Spencer who continues to improve and impress with every game. The Border Bushrangers Under 18 player again stepped into the A Grade arena as the Bushrangers had a bye last round.
This weekend there will be no A grade, however there will be junior league followed by a ladies league tag game between the Ramettes and Stanthorpe / Texas ladies and the Under 18s will host South Burnett. In the only BRL A grade game this weekend, Tenterfield host Killarney.
The Stanthorpe Gremlins are holding a Trivia evening on Saturday night at their Sullivan Oval clubhouse. While team nominations closed on Wednesday, if you are really keen to play contact Brooke Shatte on 0401 069244 and plead your case. Trivia buffs are invited to come dressed as something beginning with “G” and the fun kicks off at 6pm.
THUMBS UP FOR WARWICK FACILTIES
HEATH Ryan a member of the 2008 Australia Equestrian team at the Beijing Olympics returned to Warwick for the first time in seven years to compete in the Warwick Horse Trials on the weekend. Ryan who operates the Ryans at Newcastle Equestrian Centre and has been an assistant coach at the Olympic level could not have been more impressed with the course and the facilities for dressage and show jumping.
The former Olympian is well placed to pass judgement. His CV includes three-times Assistant Coach for the Australian Olympic Eventing team. In the 1996 Atlanta Olympics where Australia won Gold; the Sydney Olympics in 2000 where Australia again won gold and again also at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
On three separate occasions, Heath has been the Australian Three Day Event Champion and has twice been the Australian Grand Prix Dressage Champion.
On the weekend, he claimed a second placing in the one star class.
The weekend event attracted a record number of riders and horses due in part to the cancellation of a southern event. Ryan was full of praise for the course which he described as challenging but not too difficult for riders coming up through the ranks and also well designed to take care of the horses.
NRL ROUND 19
You know it is coming to the pointy end of the NRL season when State of Origin is done and dusted and Round 19 is the last of the shortened rounds with only six games this weekend.
Post origin games are always a raffle and at this time of the year all players whether they have been selected for Origin or not are usually carrying some niggling injury. With this edition going to press pre Origin, we can only hope everyone pulls up fit and well.
The Dragons and Titans open proceedings on Friday night. Although this game will be played at Jubilee Oval, the Titans will welcome back Ashley Taylor from injury and are playing well enough to add another win to their 2016 tally here. Not good times for Dragons fans unfortunately.
The Sea Eagles host the Warriors and the Rabbits host the Broncos in Saturday’s games. The Eagles looked much improved at their last outing and with their play maker back in form should get the bikkies here but the Warriors are playing good football and will be tough.
The Rabbits were disappointing against the Cowboys in Cairns and although the wheels have fallen off, the Broncos train in recent weeks I think they will be back on track here.
The Knights look to have the job ahead of them when they host Melbourne on Sunday. Even if Bellamy chooses to rest a couple of his stars, it is hard to see an upset looming. Knights fans must be hearted by the better recent performances of their fledgling side.
The Panthers host the hapless Eels in Sunday’s second game. The Panthers failed to halt the Sharks attack on the 2016 season last week although Penrith looked to have the upper hand on occasions. Words fail me when it comes to the Eels who just roll from disaster and drama to the next round of events. Brad Arthur must surely be in line for Coach of the Season for his efforts in keeping the joint afloat.
I may be proved wrong, but I think this week may have thrown one grenade too many the way of the Eels, and I am tipping the Panthers (with no great confidence) to get a win here.
The Roosters have no easy task in the final game of the round taking on competition front runners the Sharks. Everyone is waiting for the Sharks to falter, but they have kept their unbeaten run intact. Although there have been some good recent performances from the Roosters, I am leaning towards the Sharks if they come out Origin unscathed.
As for Origin Three – I have my fingers crossed that when you are reading this Kevvie Walters has managed to create history and be the first Origin coach to claim a whitewash on debut. Looking at the weather forecast for Sydney on Wednesday night, the conditions might just favour the experienced Maroons side – of course football will be the winner.
